Boot-carrying device

ABSTRACT

A device for securing and transporting boots comprising two elastic members which engage the terminal portions of the boots. The elastic members are linked to secure the boots together in combination with the holding action of the elastic members. A carrying strap and stand up device may be attached to the basic structure.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Paul Pollinger 210 Pine Road, Edgeworth, Pa. 15143 [21 Appl. No. 886,265 [22] Filed Dec. 18, 1969 [45] Patented Aug. 24, 1971 [54] BOOT-CARRYING DEVICE 7 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 12/120.5

[51] 1nt.Cl. t .v A43d5/00 [50] FieldofSearch........... l a 12/1205 [56] Referenoa Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,210,787 10/1965 Allsop..... 12/1205 3,298,049 1/1967 Coult 12/1 20.5

FOREIGN PATENTS 101,386 2/1899 Germany 12/1205 Primary Examiner-Patrick D. Lawson Atlomey.lohn M. Brandt ABSTRACT: A device for securing and transporting boots comprising two elastic members which engage the terminal portions of the boots. The elastic members are linked to secure the boots together in combination with the holding action of the elastic members. A carrying strap and stand up device may be attached to the basic structure.

Patented Aug. 24, 1971 FlG. l

*INVENTOR PAUL POLLINGER BY Q i v ATTORNEY FIG. 2

BOOT-CARRYING DEVICE 1. Field of the Invention The invention resides in the field of boot-carrying devices, more particularly to devices for transporting ski boots.

2. Description of the Prior Art The prior art shows a variety of devices for transporting or carrying ski boots and similar articles. The most common apparatus, often called a boot tree, employs a rigid frame member upon which the sole of each boot is clamped at the heel and toe. The boots are arranged in sole-to-sole relation on either side of the frame member and'a platform is usually provided for standing the boots upright when fastened to the device.

Another style, of carrier which eliminates the frame is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,183,535 issued to R. R. McAusland. The carrier described in that patent is comprised of a plurality of leather straps and buckles which may be adjusted to bind the boots in sole-to-sole relationship while eliminating the usual center frame member.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed toward a device which eliminates the frame member most common in the prior art and commercial marketplace and offers significant advantages of universality; flexibility, and ease of use over other types of carriers known to the inventor.

Specifically, the invention comprises two elastic members for engaging the terminal portions of a pair of boots in such a manner that the boots are biased together in sole-to-sole relationship by the inherent tension of the elastic. Means for linking the elastic members which may be arranged in a variety of positions are provided to complete the carrier.

In one embodiment, two elastic loops are used, attached by four sliding links or plates which are positioned along the edge of the boot soles when the boots are fitted into the carrier.

The loops may engage the boots in a number of ways as will be described below. Essentially, the toe and heel of each boot are engaged by one end of each loop.

The advantages of the invention are'numerous. Experimental models have proved extremely easy to use and handle, a highly desirable feature when applying the carrier to ski boots in cold weather while wearing mittens or ski gloves. 7

The invention easily fits any size of boot without time-consuming adjustment of buckles or other static devices. As will be shown in one embodiment, it is only necessary to manipulate the sliding linking members to securely hold almost any pair of boots with a single-size carrier. In this sense, the carrier of the present invention may be considered self-adjusting.

These and other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed specification when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the carrier;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of showing the carrier fitted to a pair of ski boots; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an additional embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention. Elastic loops l and 12 are linked by plates 14 and 16 slideably mounted on the loops. The loops are composed of a heavy-duty elastic material, commercially available hinged cord or shock cord for example. The elastic loops fit snugly into the holes in the plates to impart a reasonable amount of friction for holding purposes. The

plates may be formed of an suitable material, high-impact plastic, for example. Plates 1 have an additional ho e through which a carrying strap 18 may be passed and secured by a knot or similar means. The strap may be of sufiicient length to sling the entire assembly over the shoulder, thus freeing the hands for carrying skis or other equipment.

Loops l0 and 12 are further passed through tubes 20 and 22 which function as stands when positioned at the heel portion of the boot.

FIG. 2 shows the carrier with the boots in place. Each end of each elastic member has been looped around a terminal portion, heel and toe, of boots 24. Although each loop is shown as engaging the heel and toe of the same boot, it will be seen that one loop can engage the heel of one boot and the toe of the other without changing the structure. Plates l4 and 16 have been positioned along the boot sole edge to effect the desired tension for holding the boots in place. The freedom of placement of the plates allows the carrier to be immediately fitted to almost any size boot, the plates being moved along the sole interface more or less toward the terminal portions of each boot.

Tubes 20 and 22 are positioned at the heel to provide a stand as mentioned above.

FIG. 3 shows an alternative arrangement of the loops featured in the invention. Elastic loops 30 and 32 are positioned to engage either both toe portions or both heel portions. Both loops are held together at their center by a pair of adjustable links, turnbuckles 34 and 36 for example. The loops operate to bias the boots in sole-to-sole relationship just as in FIG. 2 and the adjustable links provide further means for tensioning similar to the alternative embodiment described above.

What is claimed is:

I. A device for securing and transporting a pair of boots in sole-to-sole relationship, each of said boots having two terminal portions consisting of a heel terminal portion and a toe terminal portion, said device comprising in combination:

' a first elastic member for engaging two of said terminal portions;

a second elastic member for engaging the other two of said terminal portions; and

linking means for attaching said first and second elastic members.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first elastic member engages said toe terminal portions and said second elastic member engages said heel terminal portions.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said elastic members engages the toe portion of one of said boots and the heel portion of the other of said boots.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first elastic member engages the heel and toe portion of one of said boots and said second elastic member engages the heel and toe portion of the other of said boots.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said linking means comprises at least four plate members, each slideably mounted on said elastic members, two of said plate members spacially arranged on each side of said boots.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 including a tubular member slideably mounted on each of said elastic members said tubular members forming a stand for said boots when positioned together at the heel portion of said boots.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 including a carrying strap attached to two of said plate members. 

1. A device for securing and transporting a pair of boots in sole-to-sole relationship, each of said boots having two terminal portions consisting of a heel terminal portion and a toe terminal portion, said device comprising in combination: a first elastic member for engaging two of said terminal portions; a second elastic member for engaging the other two of said terminal portions; and linking means for attaching said first and second elastic members.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first elastic member engages said toe terminal portions and said second elastic member engages said heel terminal portions.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said elastic members engages the toe portion of one of said boots and the heel portion of the other of said boots.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first elastic member engages the heel and toe portion of one of said boots and said second elastic member engages the heel and toe portion of the other of said boots.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said linking means comprises at least four plate members, each slideably mounted on said elastic members, two of said plate members spacially arranged on each side of said boots.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 including a tubular member slideably mounted on each of said elastic members said tubular members forming a stand for said boots when positioned together at the heel portion of said boots.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 including a carrying strap attached to two of said plate members. 